Project AWARE Fish Identification Course
You are only a few simple steps away from getting your next scuba certification
Since the dawn of time, humans have been fascinated by the creatures they share the earth with. Besides keeping pets of all types, people love venturing out into the world to watch animals in their natural habitats. Every year thousands of individuals head off on safaris in such exotic locales like Africa and South America to witness the daily routines of elephants, jaguars and the like. Closer to home, bird watching clubs provide a chance to step outdoor and scan the skies for everything from finches to falcons. And then, of course, there is the multitude of life forms that make their home in the water.
Scuba diving could very well be the ultimate animal experience. Not only do you get up close and personal with the residents of the deep, your gear and the weightless feeling water provides allows you to move like them. And since there are approximately a hundred thousand known species living under the surface, there’s plenty to look at. Whether you’re going eyeball to eyeball with muskie in the Great Lakes, watching the tarpon near Jacksonville, or swimming with sailfish off of Isla Mujeres, you’ll never find yourself lacking company.
But you may be wondering which fish is which. And like on dry land, some company is better to keep than others. Let Scuba Lessons Jax fill you in on who’s who beneath the waves.
Why is a Project AWARE fish identification course important?
As we mentioned previously, there are a LOT of fish out there, many of which look similar to others. Learning the names, traits and habitats of the major families makes diving more enjoyable, especially if you want to plan an excursion around seeing something specific. And it never hurts to be able to recognize which fish may be potentially hazardous. While you most likely know that sharks and jellyfish should be treated with caution, you may not be aware that the attractive lionfish, small blue-ringed octopus and cartoon-like puffer can be just as dangerous.
What is Project AWARE?
Project AWARE is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by a concerned group of environmentally-minded individuals at PADI. Worried about threats to the earth’s waters, they strove to counter such issues as pollution and overfishing through volunteer action. With offices located in the U.S. as well as Europe and Asia, Project AWARE is involved in numerous programs including:
- Garbage prevention and cleanup efforts
- Shark education and conservation
- Coral reef monitoring
- Environmental education
What exactly will I learn in the course?
The Project AWARE fish identification course covers the following topics:
- How to identify local fish families and species
- Familiarization with fish survey techniques and strategies
- Planning, organizing, and procedures relevant to fish identification dives
What is required for me to take the course?
Participants must be at least ten years of age and have completed a jr. open water diver course or received a qualifying rating. Certain accessories may be required.
If fish are your thing, you may also want to look into our coral reef conservationist course, National Geographic diver course, and underwater photo
